ERJ Open Research (Aug 2024)

Enhancing quality of life in severe post-COVID-19 survivors through multidisciplinary care

  • Daniela Josefina Cataneo-Piña,
  • Armando Castorena-Maldonado,
  • Dulce González-Islas,
  • Susana Galicia-Amor,
  • Arturo Orea-Tejeda,
  • Viridiana Pelaez-Hernández,
  • Alma Delia Gutiérrez-Álvarez,
  • Jorge Rojas-Serrano,
  • Eduardo Ortiz-Reyes,
  • Aline Mendoza-Méndez,
  • Ángel Mendoza-Escamilla,
  • Sinuhe Fabre-Alonso,
  • Ivette Buendía-Roldán,
  • Laura Gochicoa-Rangel,
  • Carlos López-García,
  • Marian Radillo-Gil,
  • Celia Gabriela Hernández Favela,
  • Sergio Monraz-Perez,
  • Jorge Salas-Hernández,
  • Patricio Santillán-Doherty

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1183/23120541.00214-2024
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 10, no. 4

Abstract

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Background COVID-19 survivors who were hospitalised continue to experience long-term multisystemic sequelae and symptoms, impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The complexity of post-COVID-19 conditions underscores the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary, patient-centric approach to ensure ongoing care. This study aims to assess HRQoL and post-COVID symptoms in a cohort of severe COVID-19 survivors depending on their participation in a multidisciplinary programme. Methods This prospective study was conducted in a post-COVID clinic staffed by a multidisciplinary team (physical rehabilitator, nutritionist, psychologist, including experts in pulmonary rehabilitation, nutrition, psychology and others). Subjects over 18 years old who were hospitalised due to severe COVID-19 during the acute phase and had attended the post-COVID clinic within the first 3 months following discharge were included. Subjects who were unable or unwilling to provide informed consent to participate in the protocol were excluded. Linear mixed-effect models were employed to examine changes in 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) component scores. The resolution of post-COVID symptom clusters was compared using the Cox model. Results A total of 730 patients were included, with a mean±sd age of 55.78±15.43 years; 60.55% were male and 90.62% required mechanical ventilation during hospitalisation. Programme attendants demonstrated improved SF-12 physical and mental component scores at 3 and 12 months. A reduction in the prevalence of post-COVID symptoms was observed in both groups, with greater reductions in those attending the programme. Conclusion Our study showed that patients enrolled on the multidisciplinary programme experienced improvements in fatigue, musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, neuropsychiatric and respiratory symptoms, along with enhanced SF-12 mental and physical component scores.